Connect with us

Sports

Bayern Munich’s deep lying playmaker — why Tom Bischof picked the number 8?

Published

55 minutes ago

on

As part of the transition post Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich handed he midfield role as well as the number 8 shirt over to Tom Bischof. The 21 year-old has shown incredible composure for his age and is keen to carry out the responsibilities of his role and as well as the weight of the shirt he inherited from Goretzka.

A responsibility rather than a burden

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Javi Martinez of Bayern Muenchen is seen with the trophy during the UEFA Champions League final match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Muenchen at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2013 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The number 8 shirt of Bayern has seen absolute stalwarts in Paul Breitner, Lothar Matthäus and the honorary president Uli Hoeneß himself. It comes with a certain legacy and weight that Bischof holds a lot of respect for. Leon Goretzka inherited the number 8 from Javi Martinez after winning the sextuple with Bayern. Javi sealed the Champions League and the treble in his very first season at the club with the 8 on his back. They added immense weight to a jersey that was already iconic.

Advertisement

As graceful as he threads his passes, Tom Bischof answered the natural question of whether the shirt brings an immense burden with it. “When you play for Bayern, you’re generally under the spotlight anyway, regardless of what number you wear on your back. Nevertheless, squad numbers do have a significance for most people. It’s a special feeling to wear such a significant number. I just like it, it suits me. And I appreciate the fact it’s been entrusted to me. I want to take the next step now and I definitely believe I’m capable of it. So: incentive! I’m looking forward to wearing the number 8 shirt and will do so with pride,” said Bischof in the club’s magazine #Säbener51 (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

Advertisement

A classy gesture beforehand

Munich, Germany – May 16: Aleksandar Pavlovic of FC Bayern Muenchen and Tom Bischof of FC Bayern Muenchen gestures after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Köln at Allianz Arena on May 16, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Although he grew up adoring the number 10 shirt, the role of the box-to-box midfielder was the path that Bischof and the game chose. The 21-year-old was not the only young midfielder rising through the ranks in Munich. Aleksandar Pavlović who settled into a starter role in midfield is another suitable and an easy choice to succeed Goretzka’s shirt. Before throwing his hat Bischof did pitch the idea to his senior and only then did he make an official request with the club.

Advertisement

“As a kid you dream of the #10. That’s what I always wanted when I was younger. Now I play more defensively, so #8 fits. I waited for a while out of respect for Leon, and then initially spoke to Aleks Pavlović. He’s been here longer and is a friend of mine, but Pavlo is sticking with his number. So, I asked and they indicated that I could have it,” he added acknowledging his ability and role’s requirement to defend deeper.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

Advertisement

  • New, improved notifications system!

  • Comment on articles, community posts

  • Rec comments, community posts

Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Maltese Cross wins Great Voltigeur for Haggas & Marquand

Published

13 minutes ago

on

20 August 2026

By

Maltese Cross (9/4) turned the tables on the Ballydoyle-trained colts in the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur at York on Wednesday afternoon.

Trained by William Haggas, Maltese Cross was second to Christmas Day in the Betfred Derby at Epsom in June, on ground that did not suit him.

This afternoon, with underfoot conditions more to his liking, the Sea The Stars colt beat Pierre Bonnard (100/30), third in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in June, and his conqueror at Epsom, Christmas Day (6/4 favourite), by two lengths and two-and-a-quarter lengths respectively.

Advertisement

The winner, ridden by Tom Marquand, made smooth progress three furlongs from home, and then challenged the race leader, Christmas Day, the mount of Ryan Moore.

Pierre Bonnard was soon pushed to lead at the two-furlong pole by Wayne Lordan, as the race favourite, Christmas Day, began to weaken.

The George Waud-owned Maltese Cross was staying on best of the field inside the final furlong to run out a decisive winner, to add to his Group 1 Cygames Grand Prix de Paris success of last month.

Advertisement


LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Hockey Hall of Fame hosting George Springer display

Published

26 minutes ago

on

20 August 2026

By

Any Toronto Blue Jays fans looking to relive one of the biggest moments of the 2025 World Series run will now get their chance, it just might not come where you’d expect.

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that it will be hosting a George Springer display, with his custom Hartford Whalers-themed batting gloves that he used last season as the main attraction.

The blue and green gloves pay homage to Springer’s since-departed childhood team, as he grew up in New Britain, Conn., about a 20-minute drive from Hartford.

Springer had a resurgent 2025, hitting 32 home runs in the regular season to help the Blue Jays win their first AL East title since 2015.

Advertisement

But by far his most iconic moment wearing the gloves came in Game 7 of the ALCS, when Springer launched a three-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners that propelled the Blue Jays to the World Series.

It was one of the most iconic moments in Blue Jays history, and now a little piece of it will be on display in Toronto.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

NFL fans react as Jayden Higgins tears ACL during Texans vs. Raiders joint practice

Published

41 minutes ago

on

20 August 2026

By

The Houston Texans have lost one of their most important weapons for the 2026 season.

On Wednesday, second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins was revealed to have torn his ACL during joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders the previous day. He had landed awkwardly while trying to catch a pass during red-zone drills, then was spotted limping off the field.

Sources: #Texans WR Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL yesterday during the joint practice against the #Raiders. A tough blow to the Houston receiving room.

Advertisement

Reaction to the development was rife:

Advertisement

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

@RapSheet All they have left is Nico Collins. Their season is over
@RapSheet Tank Dell is about to go NUCLEAR if he stays healthy

@RapSheet Hey @HoustonTexans, call @Browns and ask for Jeudy! Please

@RapSheet It’s time for @DeAndreHopkins to come home!

@RapSheet Here come the skeptics saying Stroud has no help.

Advertisement

@RapSheet They should trade for Hollywood brown, would give them that deep treat that they will be missing now

Higgins was stellar in his NFL debut, catching 41 of 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns. In June, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer had mentioned him as a potential breakout star after OTAs:

“Higgins certainly has looked that part in the spring. His frame is nearly identical to Nico Collins’, and while Collins is the physically stronger player, Higgins is a smoother, looser athlete than the Texans’ incumbent No. 1 — one staffer illustrated it as having a power forward (Collins) and small forward (Higgins) at the position.”

With him gone, the Texans find themselves needing a new no. 2 beside Nico Collins.

Xavier Hutchinson looks like the leading in-house candidate after posting career highs of 35 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. 2023 batchmate Tank Dell is looking to return from a devastating knee injury that sidelined him for nearly the past two seasons, while Jaylin Noel, another 2025 draftee, has been battling multiple injuries throughout training camp.

Advertisement

ALSO READ: “He hasn’t played ball in over 2 years”: Texans HC Demeco Ryans reveals stance on Tank Dell as star WR returns to practice after major injury

ALSO READ: “Is Davis Mills the best QB on the Texans?”: NFL insider raises question on C. J. Stroud’s future after backup Houston QB impresses

Former Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins posts cryptic message in aftermath of Jayden Higgins’ season-ending ACL tear

Losing Jayden Higgins for the 2026 season is definitely a major blow for the Texans, especially as they look to reclaim the AFC South. However, a familiar face has offered his services to help the team: DeAndre Hopkins.

Also on Wednesday, sometime after the nature of Higgins’ injury was revealed, the veteran wideout took to Instagram Stories to post this old image of himself greeting his mother:

Advertisement

Hopkins spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Texans, evolving into one of the league’s top wide receivers. With them, he was a four-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2017, and set the franchise single-season receptions record in 2018.

He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 and lasted three seasons there, making another All-Pro and Pro Bowl. After being released in May 2023, he bounced around three teams before becoming Georgia Tech’s WRs coach at the end of last month, though he has insisted that he is not retired.